Kamil Perry
Wine and cheese are well-known companions, but choosing the right wine to pair with a particular cheese can be daunting, especially for beginners. Harder cheeses like Cheddar or Parmesan can handle more tannic wines. Parmesan, a potent Italian cheese, goes well with a good Italian Chianti. Other wines that can be paired with Parmesan include Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wine type | Sauvignon Blanc, Chianti, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir |
| Cheese type | Hard cheeses, such as Cheddar, Gouda, Manchego, Gruyère, and Parmesan |
| Wine and cheese pairing tips | Pairing wines and cheeses from the same region is a good starting point, e.g., Italian Chianti with Parmesan |
| Harder cheeses can handle more tannic wines, while creamy cheeses like Brie go better with more acidic wines | |
| Sweeter wines like Moscato, Gewürztraminer, and Port match well with stinky or blue-veined cheeses | |
| Wines over 14.5% ABV are more intense and taste better with more intensely flavored cheeses |
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What You'll Learn
Parmesan and Sauvignon Blanc
Parmesan is a hard cheese with a potent flavour. Harder cheeses like Parmesan can handle more tannic wines. Sauvignon Blanc is a popular white wine known for its crisp acidity, citrusy notes, and herbal undertones. It is a versatile wine that pairs well with a variety of cheeses, white meats, herby salads, and desserts.
Sauvignon Blanc's bright acidity and herbal aromas make it a great choice for green salads, and it is one of the few wines that can be paired with asparagus and raw tomatoes. Its zesty and refreshing characteristics make it a good match for fresh and tangy cheeses like goat cheese, feta, or young chèvre. The wine's acidity cuts through the creaminess of these cheeses, enhancing their flavours without overpowering them.
A creamy and umami-rich wild mushroom and Parmesan risotto is a delightful pairing with a complex Sauvignon Blanc. The wine's delicate but firm structure and complexity complement the risotto's richness, while its embedded freshness cuts through the creaminess, coating the palate and creating a harmonious balance. The herbal and citrusy notes of the Sauvignon Blanc enhance the earthy flavours of the mushrooms and bring out the savoury elements of the Parmesan cheese.
Grilled asparagus sprinkled with lemon zest and grated Parmesan cheese is another excellent pairing with Sauvignon Blanc. The wine's intense minerality and rich flavours complement the asparagus's fresh and earthy taste. The brightness and texture of the wine harmonize with the grilled asparagus, while its pronounced mineral character provides a refreshing contrast. The flowery notes add a surprising finesse that further enhances the pairing, especially with the touch of umami and richness from the Parmesan cheese.
A classic pesto made with basil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil is also a delightful match for Sauvignon Blanc. The wine's herbaceous character complements the flavours of the pesto, creating a harmonious pairing.
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Parmesan and Italian Chianti
Parmesan, or Parmigiano Reggiano, is a hard, granular cheese produced from cow's milk and aged for at least 12 months. It is named after the Italian provinces of Parma and Reggio Emilia, located in the Emilia-Romagna region. Parmesan is a protected designation of origin (PDO) for cheeses produced in these provinces under Italian and European law.
Chianti is a red wine produced in the Chianti region of Tuscany, Italy, with a history dating back to the 14th century. It is known for its bright acidity, moderate tannins, and flavours of cherry, plum, and wild herbs. Chianti's acidity is particularly notable, as it cuts through rich and fatty foods, making it a popular pairing with Italian dishes such as pasta carbonara and osso buco.
When it comes to pairing Parmesan with Chianti, the wine's acidity is again a key factor. Chianti's acidity cuts through the richness of Parmesan, creating a fascinating mix. The wine's moderate tannins also complement the potent, pungent, and salty flavours of Parmesan. This combination showcases how pairing wines and cheeses from the same region, in this case, Italy, can be a "safe" and harmonious choice.
In terms of specific Chianti varieties, Chianti Classico is an excellent choice for pairing with Parmesan. Its high acidity and rustic, herbaceous flavours can enhance the overall tasting experience. The acidity in Chianti Classico helps to cleanse the palate, ensuring you can fully savour the complex flavours of Parmesan with each bite.
When enjoying Parmesan and Chianti together, consider serving the cheese at room temperature to enhance its flavour and texture. Additionally, allow the Chianti to breathe for a few minutes after opening to fully appreciate its aromas and flavours.
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Parmesan and Cabernet Sauvignon
Parmesan is a hard cheese, and harder cheeses can handle more tannic wines. A Cabernet Sauvignon is a bold wine with a long finish, and so it demands a cheese with complex flavours to stand up to it. A good Italian Chianti is a classic pairing with Parmesan, but a Cabernet Sauvignon can also be a good match.
When pairing Parmesan with a red wine like a Cabernet Sauvignon, it is best to choose a wine with very little tannin, such as a still or sparkling Lambrusco, which is a favourite pairing for many Italians. If the wine’s tannins are too pronounced, the salt in the cheese will exaggerate those tannins. A light red with very little tannin will therefore complement the salt and sweetness of the Parmesan, with its pineapple and caramel flavours.
Aged cheddars are also a good pairing with Cabernet Sauvignons, as are semi-hard, aged cow's milk cheeses with a slight crunch and rich, nutty flavours. The milder, nutty texture and smooth taste of these cheeses highlight the berry notes in both young and older Cabernet Sauvignons, while the wine's tannins bind to the cheese's protein and fat, cleansing the palate. Vermont's Cabot Clothbound Cheddar, Beemster 18-Month Aged Gouda from Holland, and Pleasant Ridge Reserve from Wisconsin have all been past favourite pairings with Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon.
Semi-hard sheep's milk cheeses with some age are another good option, as their firmer texture, subtle nutty flavours, and subtle gamey notes complement the structure and finish of a Cabernet Sauvignon. Ossau-Iraty of France and San Andreas and Ewenique from California have been previously selected for the Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon cheese plate.
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Parmesan and Pinot Noir
Parmesan is a hard cheese, and harder types of cheese can handle more tannic wines. A medium-bodied red wine like a Cabernet Sauvignon is often recommended for hard cheeses. However, Parmesan is a versatile cheese that can be paired with a variety of wines. Parmesan is a potent cheese, and a good Italian Chianti would provide a fascinating mix.
Pinot Noir is a versatile red wine that pairs well with food and cheese. It is a fruity red wine that is usually paired with soft cheeses. A light to medium-bodied Pinot from Burgundy or Oregon State pairs well with bloomy, creamy cheeses like Camembert, which have similar earth tones to a fine Pinot Noir. A full-bodied Californian Pinot Noir would work with a semi-hard cheese like Munster or Fontina.
Pinot Noir is also used in cooking, and it pairs well with Parmesan in a pasta dish with pancetta. The recipe involves cooking the pancetta with garlic, red pepper flakes, and Pinot Noir, and then mixing it with cooked pasta, butter or olive oil, and Parmesan cheese. The pasta soaks up the red wine, and more wine can be added to the mix if desired.
In conclusion, while Parmesan is not the most obvious cheese to pair with a Pinot Noir, it can work well in a pasta dish, and a full-bodied Californian Pinot Noir could work with Parmesan as a semi-hard cheese.
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Parmesan and sweet wines
Parmesan is a hard cheese that can handle more tannic wines. Salty cheeses like Parmesan go well with sweet wines. A good Italian Chianti pairs well with Parmesan. Chianti is a fruity but herbal red wine with notes of black cherry, herbs, and spicy fruit. Other wines in the same vein as Chianti that also pair well with Parmesan include Barbera, Dolcetto, and Pinot Noir.
Another option is to pair Parmesan with a sweet wine like Moscato, Gewürztraminer, Late Harvest dessert wines, or Port. The sweetness in these wines balances out the saltiness of the cheese. If you're looking for a lower-alcohol option, try a sparkling wine like Prosecco, which has a toasty breadiness that can complement Parmesan.
When pairing wine and cheese, it's important to consider the intensity of the flavours. Wines over 14.5% ABV are more intense and taste better with more intensely-flavoured cheeses, while wines under 12% ABV are less intense and match better with more delicately-flavoured cheeses.
In general, red wines tend to pair better with Parmesan than white wines due to their higher acidity and lower tannin content. However, there are some white wines that can still complement the cheese, such as a dry and crisp wine like a Chardonnay, which has enough acidity to stand up to the cheese.
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Frequently asked questions
Parmesan is a hard cheese that can handle more tannic wines. Some good options include:
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Italian Chianti
Here are some classic combinations:
- Sauternes with Roquefort
- Port with Stilton
- Chardonnay with Brie
- Madeira with a mixed board of cow, sheep, and goat cheese
Some tips for pairing wine and cheese include:
- Match wines and cheeses from the same region, such as Sauvignon Blanc with goat cheese from the Loire Valley in France.
- Choose a firm, nutty cheese if you are serving several wines and are unsure which cheese to pair.
- Select cheeses aged at least a year, such as Cheddar, Gruyère, Manchego, Gouda, or Parmesan.
- Pair sweeter wines like Moscato or Port with stinky or blue-veined cheeses.
- Wines over 14.5% ABV are more intense and taste better with more intensely flavored cheeses.
Besides wine, some other drink pairings with cheese include:
- Mrs. Kirkham's Lancashire cheese with Casillero del Diablo Merlot
- Chateau d’Yquem with Gorgonzola and a pressed apple terrine
Besides wine, some foods that pair well with Parmesan cheese include:
- Fresh grapes
- Dried apricots and figs
- Crisp apple slices
